India, June 8 -- On paper, this was the final destined to happen. Yet it feels long overdue.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz have finally taken their rivalry to the highest stage in Grand Slam tennis. Dubbed the Djokovic vs Nadal of their generation, the two now meet in a major final for the first time in their 11-match history. Both players have never lost a final - Alcaraz stands at 4-0, Sinner at 3-0. And while the Spaniard comes in with a four-match winning streak over the Italian, including a recent triumph in the Rome final, the real story goes far deeper.

Alcaraz enters Sunday's showdown riding a 17-match win streak, with title runs in Barcelona and Rome, aiming to defend his Roland Garros crown. Sinner, meanwh...